The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-14
MARK TWAIN'S REFERENCES,
How He Settled the Question of Character
with His Prospective Father-in-Law.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Aug. 13-Mark Twain is in New
York almost every week. He is very much at
home in the city, though singularly enough, he
never stops twice at the same hotel that is, not
twice conse cutively. This is because he likes
variety. It has nothing do with the bill
his method of payment Mark is ali right.
though every now and then some old crony
from the West who hasn't struck pay dirt since
40, will turn up with a queer story about the
great humorist and his days of impecunios-
itY. Little do these detractors know that Mark
was called upon very suddenly one day to fur
nish Californian testim onials as TO his good
character. and that he passed through the or
deal in fashion that should silence all carping
criticism. The story was somewhat thus:
As every one knows Mr.. Clemens first met his
beautiful wife while the famous voyage of
the Quaker City, and he pursued his acquaint
after their return SO closely that at last
tire young lady's papa day called the ardent
aud devoted Mark into his private study and
said, after some preamble:
.'Mr Clemens. have something to say to you
which bears upon subject of grave Importance,
at least to me and mine. You have been coming
here for some time and your manners leave no
doubt in my mind to your object Now, my
daughters welfare is very dear to me and before
can admit you to her society on the footing of
suitor to her hand would like to know some
thing more than do about you, your antece-
dents. &c. Stop a minute! You must remem-
ber that a man may be good fellow and
pleasant co mpanion a voyage and all that,
but when it is a question as grave as this wise
father tries to take every precaution before al
lowing his daughters affections to become en-
gagged. and l ask of you. as gentleman. that
you shall give me the names of some of your
friends ia California to whom may write and
make slch inquiries as l deem necessary. that
is. if you still desire our friendship"
1t was now Mark Twains turn.
Sir" said he. bowing profoundly, as became
young man who respects his hoped-for father
in-law. Your sentiments are in every way
correct approve of them myself, and hasten
to add that you have not been mistaken in my
sentiments towards your daughter. whom may
tell you candidly seems to me to be the most
perfect of her sex, and honor your solicitation
for her welfare. I am not only perfectly willing
to give you reference but am only too glad to
have opportunity to do SO, which my natural
modessy would have prevented me from offer
names of few of my friends. I will write
them down. First is Lieut.. Gen. John McComb.
Alexander Badam. General Lander, and Col.
w. H. L. Barnes. They will all lie for me just
as / would for them under like circumstances"
This conclusion broke the old man all up, and
and he never asked more reference nor wrote to
those gentlemen. Those who know this quar-
tst will appreciate the joke
A few weeks before Mark Twain started away
the trip mentioned above he was standing on
. Iontgom cry street, leaning up against a lamp
post, and he held a cigar box under one arm.
Mrs. Capt. Edward Poole, a very beautiful
woman. and as bright and witty beautiful,
came along and stopped and held out her hand,
saying: why, Mark, where are you going in
such a hurry?" I'm m-o-o-v-ing," drawled
Mark at the same time opening the cigar box,
disclosing pair of blue socks, pipe and two
paper collars.
Mark Twain never much of ladies' man,
and he always appeared like fish out of water
when he happened to be them. A good
story is told of visit he, for some reason had to
make lady. since known a very fine
painter and writer, though then she was only
society lady, and her powers were
yet untried There were several young
ladies visiting there from Napa and
they took the occasion to have some dress max
ing done, and they had obtained a wax lay figure
and the girls had all been at work. not xpecting
visitors and they had dressed the figure in Mrs.
BIS clothes and then went out the dining
room to tea. In the meantime Mark rang the
sauntered to the open doors OF the back parlor
and there saw Mrs. B, as be supposed. and
he made good a bow he could, which is
not saying much, and said: 'sGood afternoon"
No answer. He cleared his throat and ad-
vanced few steps, saying:
''Ahem 1 remarked. Mrs B. that-that
it is raining"
Still no answer and flushing, he stuck both
steps nearer sad
at is pleasant day. Mrs. B. / came up
from the Alta Office to-oh, pshaw." he exclaimed
as he discovered his mistake and the fact that
door behind the real Mrs. b, nearly strangled
with suppressed laughter.
He managed to deliver his message but
nothing would induce him to stay, and he went
away giving the miserable figure a malevolens
look as he went. BETSY ODowD.